Pupils in the United Kingdom are performing better than most of their counterparts in developed countries.

An international survey of literacy, science and maths skills shows that pupils in the UK are above average in each of these subject areas.

Top five for literacy

FinlandCanadaNew ZealandAustraliaIreland

The survey, carried out by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, found that pupils in Finland had the best literacy skills, with Japanese pupils highest at maths and Korean pupils top-scoring in science.